"p" is for pretty

the prettiest pretzel i know was born on may twelfth, two thousand and six. around four o'clock in the afternoon. she was a tiny bundle of only three pounds and four feisty ounces.

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i carried lucas jude around in my big 'ol belly for an extra two weeks. his lease had long since been up and i remember writing in my journal to my boy-to-be that i wasn't sure i could keep this whole gig up for much longer. i wrote about being ready to hold and snuggle and kiss his little self. that his clothes were washed and folded and washed again.
he just wasn't ready to leave her yet.
i'd started to get the calls at my due date. "here yet?" "yeeeeeeeeeeet?" "today??" looking back in retrospect i am thankful for the stack of natural birth books, a peace filled birth class and two very wise midwives that all reassured me that my very heavy load {in every sense of those words} was safe and fine and would come on his own time. if not to prepare me for the birth that i had dreamed {it was not}... it gave me the guts to keep on truckin' {barely} until he felt safe to leave her behind. her.
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i packed up my 4 week old bundle and drove over those familiar mountains. it would be the first time i got to see my nat all belly full of baby. she was snuggled up on her couch bed where she'd been for days already. she was indeed all belly and alfafa tea and sprouts and blood pressure cuff. she was determined and brave and beautiful. each day hoping for one more pregnant day. presley brynn would be her name and she was in quite a hurry {despite everything} for her turn. we like to say that she missed lucas too much. soul-cousins.
she just couldn't wait.
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pres is a tough cookie. she's pretzel. she's made of chocolate pudding and "mama eats." she's pretty, dainty and spunky at the same time. she's polka dot pillows and coffee dates with grandpa. she's always got on great shoes. she's twinkle, twinkle, little star and techno, too. she's burt's bees baths in the sink. she's a secret life on sundays and she loves her mama. she's feist. she's determined and brave and beautiful. she's lukey's love. she's a blessing. she's exactly what we needed.
happy birthday to you!